Self-closing top



, Oct. 17,1939.

R. D. E'VEIIQS 2,176,395

SELF-CLOSING TOP Filed April 25, 19-38 ATTORNEYS Patented Get. 17, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to covers or tops for jars and like containers and has for the primary object the provision of an efficient and inexpensive device of this character which may be easily applied to a jar and includes means for opening a discharge opening provided in said device whenever the jar is tilted into pouring position and to automatically close said opening when the jar is restored to an upright position.

With these and other objects in view, this invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

For a complete understanding of my invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 isa fragmentary vertical sectional view showing a jar equipped with a cover or top equipped with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view illustrating the top or cover.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing the jar in pouring position and the discharge opening of the cover or top opened by the present invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral l indicates a fragmentary portion of a fruit jar or like container having the usual neck 2 on which is threaded to receive the screw flange of the disc cover or top 3. The top or cover is provided with an eccentrically disposed discharge opening 4 through which the contents of the jar or container may be dispensed by tilting the jar or container to pouring position, as shown in Figure 3.

A depending bracket 5 of substantially U-shape is secured to the underneath face of the top at substantially the center thereof and carries a pivot pin 6 on which an arm 1 is journaled intermediate its ends. A ball type weight 8 is secured on one end of the arm. The arm I at one side of the pivot pin includes angularly related portions A and B. The portion A forms a valve which, when the weight is in normal position, is adapted to contact the cover or top and 5 close the discharge opening when the jar or container is in upright position. On the tilting or positioning of the jar or container in pouring position, as shown in Figure 3, the weight gravitates to engage the underneath face of the cover 10 or top and rocks the arm to move the valve portion A away from the discharge opening 4 so that the contents of the jar or container may flow outwardly through said opening.

The arm I is constructed from a single length 15 of material bent upon itself to form a barrel to freely receive the pivot pin and thereby permit said arm to rock on the pivot pin under the influence of the weight. One end of the arm is slightly shorter than the other and has a por- 20 tion angularly disposed and shaped to conform to the contour of the ball type weight and is suitably secured thereto.

What is claimed is:

The combination with a fruit jar closure hav- 25 ing a disc top and a screw flange, of a bracket depending from the underneath face of the top at substantially the center thereof, there being a discharge opening eccentrically disposed in the top, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends on the 0 bracket and having one end inclined obliquely upward and then bent to extend parallel to the top to form a valve to seal said opening, and a ball weight on the other end of the arm normally holding said valve in closed position and being 35 adapted to gravitate into engagement with the underneath face of the top when the fruit jar closure is tilted to rock the arm and valve and unseal the discharge opening.

40 ROY D. EVERS. 

